Find below my compilation of 19 off-beat weekend or drive-away places
around Kolkata ( state of West Bengal) i.e in eastern part of India . For
ease of your travel planning, I will further divide it in 04 parts (Kolkata as
centre) i.e North / South/ East & West .
1-Chandraketugarh:
A Long-Lost City Unearthed through Excavation
50 km from Kolkata City, Chandraketugarh is a
historical site on the bank of Bidyadhari River in South 24 Pargana. More than
just a simple getaway for fun lovers, this excavation site is the foundation of
serious study for many historians. According to the Archaeological Survey of
India, the relics excavated from this site date back to the days before the
establishment of the Maurya Dynasty and some of them are even 3000 years old.
It is believed that the city used to be a flourishing one during the
Pre-Mauryan to Pala Dynasty period and it was referred to as Gangaridai by the
ancient Roman and Greek writers. The excavation has revealed a temple spreading
across 45 sq km and dating back to 700 to 600 BC. Other significant relics
collected from this site are Buddha stupas and images, coins of Jataka stories,
decorative designs of Pala period, terracotta sealing and plaques and number of
earthen utensils and showpieces.
2- Taki East Of Kolkata 75 km drive
Taki is a cosy and quiet retreat, just a two-hour drive from the Kolkata city approx 73 km northeast in North 24-Parganas, on the IchaMati river front with the opposite side Bangladesh border / riverline visible. It is also the gateway to the Sunderbans. One may study the local Municipality site for local information and staying places at http://www.takimunicipality.in/
Read Blog for full details at .. https://cdrsahana.blogspot.com/2018/01/a-quick-note-on-visit-to-basirhat-and.html
3- Balkhana Estate Maheshgunge 12 Km from KrishnaNaagar Station
Stay awhile in a stately early 19th century villa, French by provenance, the architectural heirloom of a distinguished Bengali Zamindari familiy, who still live there on a 16 acre estate.
Address -BALAKHANA , P.O. Maheshganj, Nabadwip Ghat Road, District: Nadia, West Bengal - 741315, Mobile - +91 98313 28486, +91 98312 70807, 033 2399 4994, Email: balakhana1870@gmail.com
Krishnagar station to Balakhana is 12 kms with tranport charges Rs. 500 per trip. Approx 130 Km from Kolkata. There are 3 AC rooms and 2 Non-AC Guestrooms available at Balakhana.
Address -BALAKHANA , P.O. Maheshganj, Nabadwip Ghat Road, District: Nadia, West Bengal - 741315, Mobile - +91 98313 28486, +91 98312 70807, 033 2399 4994, Email: balakhana1870@gmail.com
Krishnagar station to Balakhana is 12 kms with tranport charges Rs. 500 per trip. Approx 130 Km from Kolkata. There are 3 AC rooms and 2 Non-AC Guestrooms available at Balakhana.
4- Vedam Eco Resort
5- Maithon Dam
6. Baranti Lake / Eco Tourism :- Near Asansol / Durgapur this place is located approx 250 Km away in quite and simple abundance of Lake / Dam as as ideal getaway / break from City life . Don't expect any 5* treatment here .
Read Blog http://barantimove.blogspot.com/
7- Rajabhatkhawa
An ideal retreat for a two to three days break,
Rajabhatkhawa is a picturesque tourist spot located
at a distance of 15 km from Alipurduar / 730 Kms from Kolkata. It is a small sparsely
populated town far away from the bustling city life. It is the starting point
of numerous nature trails offering opportunities of bird watching, jungle
safari, and wildlife watching. The Nature Interpretation Centre at
Rajabhatkhawa is a museum that is focused mainly on wildlife related exhibits.
08. Nodi Teerae is a river side resort on the bank of river Ganges, just 45 kms from Kolkata with panoramic view of the wide Ganges, ships and fisherman boats passing by.
Can reach out to https://www.noditeerae.in/ or for contact/ Booking : +91 99035 41393 / 90073 71212 .
09. River View Resort at Naldari, West Bengal 743318 , is a river side resort by the river Ganges, just 45 kms from Kolkata with panoramic view of the wide Ganges.
Near Nodi Teerae . Contact 099038 02088
10. Aqua Retreat Resort - Just 05 Km south of the Nodi Teere Resort on Ganges (near Falta) approx 35 Km south of Kolkata is a small 05 rooms resort with 3 star facilities . Ideal place which avoids the hotel crowd (present rate in Aug 2022- Rs4500/- double bed room).
11- Nimpith Kaikhali on Matla River approx 90 Km South-East of Kolkata
A place near Sundarbans on the bank of Matla river. Only option to stay there is the Ramkrishna Mision Ashram Guest House. approx 12 Nos non-Ac double bedded rooms with attached alternate Indian/ European bathroom of 01 BHKs .
There is a gated RK Mission Ashram adjacent with a Mandir where an Aarati can be enjoyed at 1900 hrs and in the early morning. The GH is outside the compound over looking river Matla. Has parking facility in the basement / stilt. EMail secysran@gmail.com http://www.nimpithrkashram.org/contactus.htm
From May to Jul the fishing is closed in the river.
Driving a 90 Km distance for 3 hrs, the direction from Kolkata is .....
EM Bypass > Kamalgaji > Baruipur Level Crossing > Dakshin Barasat > JoyNagar > Nimpith > Jamtola > Kaikhali.
Halfway is Nimpith Ramakrishna Ashram with its own Mandir inside, from where the bookings of the Kaikhali GH should normally be done to avoid disappointments. You can enjoy the Bhog/ Lunch too here at Nimpith RK Ashram between 1230 hrs to 1400 hrs. Few room exist here to freshen up and for a little rest. Nimpith RK Mission runs Girls School with its Hostel and nearby other institution including Fisheries research centers are worth visiting.
Read blog from Mr Pinaki ..
12- Trip to Sunderban
Read Blogs :-
Some Tour operators :-
1) Best time to visit Sundarban: From September to March every year. In winter, there are greater chance of seeing tiger, crocodile and other animal on river bank. In September, weather would be more humid. But you can enjoy heavy current of rivers.
2) You can reach Sunderban delta through various routes. 01 route is Sunderban via Dhamakhali and then via launch thorough Gosaba or Gadkhali. From these places, you can reach Sajnekhali by launch in 2-3 hours.
a) Sealdha to Canning railway station , two morning Canning train (6:30 am and 7:42 am) taking 2.5/03 hrs.
b) Canning to Dhamakhali 27 km journey by Auto 2 hrs
0r best to Gosaba in south
c) Dhamakhali to Pakhiralaya by 04 hrs boat journey close to Sajnekhali Island. Most of boats from Gosaba, Godkhali, and Dhamakhali take halt here before starting jungle cruise
d) Visit to Sajnekhali Island Sanctury / Reserve and Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project
e) Sudhanyakhali point
f) Dobanki camp (walkway within covered mesh)
g) Jharkhali point tiger rehabilitation center
3) Where to stay in Sunderban ? For this you must first study the geography and then select your tour itenerary :-
a) Pakhiralaya is the best place to have night halt. There are about 35 different budget hotels in that location.
Hotel Mangroves Inn is very close to pakhiralaya jetty Ghat. There is small market near jetty ghat and this land is famous for Bonbibi , the local deity.
b) WBTDC Lodge
c) Benfish Sajnekhali Tourist Lodge
d) Tourist Lodge & Tourist Forest Rest-House are run by West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.
Ph: (03218) 214960
Where to get Permits:
a) For visiting the tiger reserve (West Bengal, India), permission is given by:-
Field Director, Sunderban Tiger Reserve, Port Canning.
b) Entry Permits can be obtained from Bagna, Canning and Sonakhali for STR (Sundarban Tiger Reserve) and at Namkhana, Canning and Raidighi for Western region of Sunderban Forest.
c) For permits, foreigners can contact: The Joint Secretary (Forest), Govt. of West Bengal, 4th Floor, G-Block, Writers’ Building, Kolkata- 700 001. Tel: 225-5601 Ext: 411/754.
13. Mousuni Island is another location in the Sundarban Island area :- It is approx 120 Km from Kolkata through a congested State HighWay . It is a small Island in the estuary of Ganges meeting the Sea i.e Bay Of Bengal . A very economical Eco-Tourism area with only basic amenities . Many Blogsite is available on Google . May read one https://krishnandusarkar.com/mousuni-island-experience-virgin-beach/
14. Henry Island is a farthest land point south of Kolkata approx 125 Kms/ 04 hrs travel for those who love serenity. Silent white sand beaches, deep blue sea, panoramic views and mangrove forests define the vibe of this place. Enjoy a walk down the sandy beach amidst the red crabs, and a view of the coastline bordering the Casuarina forest, near the sea beach of Bakkhali is good getaway .
Namkhana is the last railway station and 25 Km from Bakkhali / Henry Island.
The interior of the island is covered by a dense forest. Tourists are not permitted to enter the forest.
Attractions Near Henry Island
Bakkhali Beach - The Bakkhali Beach is a serene beach close to Henry Island.
Bishhalakshmi Temple - While walking down the Bakkhali Beach, you will come across this Temple where you can offer your prayers.
Frazer Ganj Wind Park- Fraserganj Wind Park comprises of windmills. They cater to the local power supply.
Frazerganj Fisheries- The fishery at Fraserganj is one of the largest in India.
Jambudwip- You would require a boat to reach here with around 100 INR per person.
It is a 2-hour journey from Frazerganj (back and forth).
Getting down at the beach may not be allowed by West Bengal government but fishermen can give a short session.
15 -Duarsini
‘Peaceful’ in the ideal sense of the term, Duarsini is a small tribal village 130Kms from Kolkata or 13 km from Burdwan and 
65 km from Sadar Purulia. Unlike other popular tourist spots, this village welcomes its guests with bucolic serenity. The lush green forest of this village is dotted with shal, piyal, shimul and palash trees where the bubbly river Satgurang adds enigma to its captivating beauty. At night the rhythmic sound of Madal, a unique tribal drum reverberates from the tribal village.
16 - Gangani, the Grand Canyon Of Bengal.
This is only about 175 odd Kms away from Kolkata where river Shilabati has cut through the rocks and laterite soil and created this little wonder with its sharp bends and stacks of red laterite soil formed deep gorges along the bank. In the distance the river bed turnes white . Read Blog at ..
http://sagar-sen.blogspot.com/2017/09/Gangani-or-Gongoni-The-Grand-Canyon-Of-West-Bengal-at-Garhbeta-Midnapore.html 17 -Mukutmanipur - 55 km from the central town of Bankura, and 230 Kms from Kolkata, Mukutmanipur draws the attention of the tourists towards the
beautiful necklace like dam constructed at the confluence of River Kansabati and River Kumari. An undulating greenery enriched terrain runs along the southern edge of the Kansabati Water Reservoir. Cobalt fresh water body is lined with emerald green landscape which mesmerizes the lovers of serenity.
18. Roopark Village Resort - 250 Km from Kolkata and offers an in-house restaurant for its patrons to dine in. This resort is located at a distance of 24 km from Balasore Railway Station and 6 km from Shiva Mandir comprising of 20 well-equipped and spacious rooms.
These rooms have amenities like bottled drinking water, wardrobe, toothbrush/razor on request and an attached bathroom with hot/cold running water. Place has a green lush garden, parking and luggage storage area within the premises. Additionally, laundry, medical assistance and room service is also available. This property in Balasore is located 204 km from Biju Patnaik International Airport and 25 km from Balasore Bus Stand. Major attractions include Dhobasila (7 km), Jagannath Temple (5 km), Gopinath Temple (6 km) and Nilagiri Mausi Maa Mandira (5 km).
19-Ayodhya-Hill
An ideal retreat to captivate the senses of
forest lovers Ayodhya Hills is located on the boundary of
Purulia District and
Jharkhand at a distance of 260 Kms from Kolkata and 40 km Purulia Railway
station. The hill is around 700 m high and the winding path leading to the top
of the hill offers beguiling sites of lush green vegetation. Beginners can take
up mountaineering or rock climbing to make their vacation more interesting.
Fresh water springs and streams rolling down are a real feast for the eyes.20-
18.
